I am excited to announce that my office will be sponsoring FREE pet adoptions and starter bag of pet food during the month of November to help our shelter pets at Orange County Animal Care find their loving, forever home.
In addition to the month-long pet adoption sponsorship, my office will be sponsoring the Drive-Thru Pet Food Pantry, which will be held at Orange County Animal Care on Saturday, November 12 from 8 AM to 10 AM. Come pick up some FREE food for your dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds, as well as FREE collapsible water bowls for your pet!
The newest addition to your family is waiting for you at the Orange County Animal Shelter! To view the 5th District Pet Adoption video, click here or on the image below.
All Pet Adoptions to be Sponsored in November!
Family Furst Drive-Thru Pet Food Pantry - 11/12
D5 Projects Approved by Coastal Commission!
Yesterday was a great day for the Fifth District! Two important projects were unanimously approved and received Coastal Development Permits by the California Coastal Commission – the Niguel Shores Revetment Repair and the Doheny Desalination projects.
What makes these projects so important?
The Doheny Desalination project will create a new, reliable, local, and drought-proof water supply that will also provide emergency water supplies if the delivery of imported water were to be disrupted. The Project will reduce the area’s reliance on imported water, which currently provides 90% of the total supply. South Coast Water District (District) will be able to accomplish this without impacting marine life, making this particular design the first in the state!
Rick Erkeneff, South Coast Water District Board President, stated “Clearing the Coastal Commission hearing with a unanimous approval is huge step forward in the permitting process. This greatly needed base loaded supply of new water will be welcomed to our region.”
The second project to receive approval is the repair and maintenance of the existing rock revetment located at Niguel Shores. This revetment was originally constructed in the late 1960’s and protects approximately 1,250 feet of shoreline fronting the Niguel Shores community. The work will involve restacking existing stone where over-steepened and undersized riprap stones occur and place new rock limited to 1,000 tons of imported material.
The project will include plans to repair the deteriorated northern stairs and stabilization of the north and south access ramps to ensure continued and safe public access to the beach. The project will include replacement of deteriorated signage, installation of new educational signage and a commitment by the County to implement a shoreline monitoring program.
Next, construction documents will be finalized and the project will be advertised for contractor bids in Spring 2023. Construction will likely occur in Fall 2023 when the beaches see less visitors and typically have less sand to minimize excavations and construction impacts.
The Opioid Crisis and Poisoning in OC - Oct. 24
Standing in Support of our Iranian Community
At last week’s Board of Supervisors meeting, I spoke up for women who have no voice. Each morning we are so fortunate to wake up and live in a country where it does not matter how we do our hair or what type of clothes we wear. We make that decision without having to think twice about our safety. This, unfortunately, is not the case throughout the world, particularly in Iran.
I want you to know that I stand in solidarity with our Iranian Community in Orange County and everyone who has been impacted by the detainment and death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. Mahsa Amini was a Kurdish Iranian visiting Tehran and apparently revealed some of her hair during her visit. She was arrested by Iran’s so called, “morality police” and sent to re-education camp, where several days later she died in custody.
This continues to spark outrage and anger throughout the world, as Iranian women have been removing and burning their headcovers and cutting off their hair in protest.
As one of two women currently on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, I wanted to echo that I stand with the women of Iran in their rightful demands to protest injustice without reprisal and to be free to exercise their autonomy, including their choice of dress and their right to seek accountability and upholding their basic human rights.
We also had two prominent members of the Orange County Iranian Community Shani Moslehi, Founder and Executive Director of the Iranian American Chamber of Commerce in Irvine, and Dr. Mahtab Jafari, who is a professor at the UCI School of Pharmacy, as well as Jennifer Wang, Vice Chair of the Orange County Human Relations Commission.
I acknowledge this is an exceptionally challenging time for those members within our Orange County community who have close personal ties with Iran. But speaking up and speaking out is more important than ever, as Iranian government censorship is used to silence protests and conceal ongoing brutality amid escalating violence across Iran.
I hope you will stand with me in supporting women’s rights as well as our friends in the Iranian community in Orange County and throughout the world.
Trauma Intervention Program of Orange County
During last week’s Board of Supervisors meeting, I was pleased to recognize the leadership, staff, and volunteers from Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) of Orange County with a well-deserved Board Resolution for the vital work they perform in the community.
The Orange County chapter of TIP is comprised of approximately one hundred highly trained volunteer crisis responders in Orange County who provide emotional support and practical resources to victims, survivors, witnesses, loved ones and others immediately following traumatic events, such as suicides, homicides, overdoses, deaths at home, accidents in the workplace, roadside accidents, drownings, fires, robberies, sexual assault, and mass casualty incidents.
TIP volunteers work within the existing 911 emergency system, called to scenes by first responders, including law enforcement, fire fighters, and hospital personnel. TIP responders are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with a target response of arriving within twenty minutes of being dispatched.
I was also honored to present TIP of Orange County Executive Director MaryEllen Lowery with a grant of $20,000 from my 5th District discretionary funds to further support their in their efforts to translate key trauma resources, including Spanish and Chinese, among others, to better serve our diverse populations.
“We are incredibly grateful for the generous donation from Supervisor Bartlett and the Fifth District. With our county's growing diversity, these funds will help meet an important need of translating key client resources into multiple languages, as well as recruiting and outreach to better serve our community in times of crisis," said MaryEllen Lowrey, TIP of Orange County Executive Director.
Please join me in congratulating TIP of Orange County for the outstanding work they do! If you would like to participate or volunteer for TIP of Orange County, please click here.
Funding for our Homeless Services Providers
Last week, my office hosted six wonderful nonprofit organizations dedicated to assisting those who face barriers to permanent housing. Utilizing 5th District discretionary funding, I was pleased to present $150,000 to these organizations to help with efforts to permanently house individuals and families by applying a “whatever it takes” approach, including, credit rebuilding efforts, moving costs, household furnishings, rental deposits, as well as other expenses that keep people from moving into permanent housing.
“With more housing vouchers and similar resources available to us, flexible funding like this is our greatest need. With these funds, we plan to fund the final pieces of the housing puzzle, things like appliances, extra housing deposits, and moving costs that often delay a client’s move into their new home. We’re so grateful Supervisor Bartlett and her staff saw that need and responded so generously," said Dawn Price, Executive Director of Friendship Shelter.
The grants will also facilitate assistance to survivors of relationship violence who often choose between and abusive home and homelessness.
Maricela Rios-Faust, CEO of Human Options stated, “Through Supervisor Bartlett's support, we are able to extend a critical lifeline and reduce economic and housing barriers survivors face when taking the courageous step to seek safety and healing”.
In addition, this assistance will be helpful to those affected by the effects of the health pandemic and are now getting back on their feet after being unemployed and struggling financially. Our community of nonprofit homeless services providers should have resources to serve their clients effectively when they seek them out for assistance.
I want to thank the following grant recipients for their ongoing efforts and important work in the community aiding our County’s most vulnerable individuals and families:
I am so proud of the work these organizations do to help with shelter support and reducing housing barriers!
$1.5 Million for Childcare Businesses thru 10/21!
I'm pleased to report my office has launched a funding assistance initiative to provide a boost to childcare centers. Utilizing discretionary state and federal funding, $1.5 million is currently available in grant funding for childcare businesses in my supervisorial district.
To that end, it was my pleasure to present a ceremonial check recently in honor of the 5th District Childcare Grant Relief Program. The Program will be administered by Charitable Ventures. Applications will be accepted through Friday, October 21. For more information, click here and here.
Emergency Track Stabilization Work Set to Begin
$45 Million Available to Ease Traffic Congestion
In addition to serving you on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, I'm also honored to serve you on the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors. As such, I'm pleased to report that OCTA has issued its annual call for projects aimed at improving traffic flow and reducing congestion throughout Orange County.
Approximately $45 million is available through the Regional Capacity Program, which funds improvements that increase mobility at major intersections and provide smoother transitions to the highway system, and the Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program, which provides funding to time traffic lights along long stretches of street that can run through multiple cities.
Cities and the County can propose projects through both competitive programs, which are funded by OC Go, Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, also known as Measure M.
Project applications are due by October 20 and are expected to be selected in spring 2023. For more information and to submit projects, click here.
Ladera Ranch: Fiber Optic Equipment Installation
OC Sheriff’s Department Addresses DOJ Report
National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day - October 15
Warning to Schools of “Rainbow Fentanyl” Trend
2021 Orange County Hate Crimes Report
The OC Human Relations Commission recently released the 2021 Orange County Hate Crime Report. The report provides valuable statistical information and resources pertaining to hate crimes and hate incidents that occurred throughout Orange County. A copy of can be found by clicking the graphic below or visiting the OC Human Relations Commission webpage.
Orange County’s Office of Independent Review
U.S. Composting Council Seal of Assurance
Everyday Stories Painted in Color and Light
French artist Veronica Schmitt is the newest artist featured in the Community Focus Space at John Wayne Airport. Her fine art painting is inspired by the California impressionist artists she treasured while honing her talent. Acrylic paint captures lively, soft, and colorful snapshots of local life in this exhibit.
Select paintings from her catalogue will be on display in the Thomas F. Riley Terminal through October 18. The exhibit is viewable (pre-security) on the Departure (upper) Level near security screening areas in Terminals A, B, and C and the Arrival (lower) Level adjacent to Baggage Carousels 1 and 4. For more information, click here.
Do You Need Help Paying for Child Care?
Want to Change the World through STEM?
5th DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT
Orange County Museum of Art Grand Opening
Last week, I had the great pleasure of participating in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the spectacular and new Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA), where I presented Heidi Zuckerman, OCMA CEO/Director, with a certificate of recognition in honor of the occasion.
The $95 million, 53,000 square-foot Orange County Museum of Art completes the arts and culture puzzle for the world renowned Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa.
The new museum, located adjacent to the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, features 25,000 square feet of exhibition space, including an exterior grand staircase, education pavilion, suspension walkway, Upper Plaza on the roof terrace, and administrative offices, as well as a gift shop and coffee bar, while the exterior consists of white terra cotta tiles that undulate and create a sweeping form. Please join me in welcoming our very own Orange County Museum of Art!
Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce Meeting
Last week, I was pleased to be the keynote speaker at the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce Governmental and Community Relations meeting, where I provided a retrospective of my eight years as your Orange County Supervisor, 5th District.
Dana Point Historical Society Founders Day 2022
This week, my office was pleased to attend the Dana Point Historical Society (DPHS) annual Founders Day event to present a well-deserved proclamation to their 2022 honoree, Joyce Hoffman, arguably the greatest female surfer of all time.
The presentation was held in the Dana Point City Council chambers, where DPHS President Barbara Johannes and Special Events Committee Chair Elizabeth Bamattre also presented Joyce with a wonderful book by the late, great local historian, Doris Walker.
After the presentations, Founders Day attendees moved to the Dana Point Historical Society Museum to continue the celebration with Joyce Hoffman. For more information about Joyce Hoffman, please visit the Dana Point Times.
CRUMBL COOKIES in Laguna Niguel
My office was also pleased to present a commendation to Crumbl Cookies in Laguna Niguel, where the Chamber of Commerce conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony this week. Crumbl Cookies is to be highly commended for bringing friends & family together over their iconic pink box featuring the absolute best cookies in the world! Please join me in welcoming Crumbl Cookies to the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce!
COUNTY OF ORANGE COVID-19 UPDATE
COVID-19 Orange County Case Counts by Cities
The OC Health Care Agency continues to release daily COVID-19 case counts in Orange County. As of today, HCA is reporting 670,606 positive cumulative cases and 7,488 deaths to date, as well as 125 currently hospitalized with 21 in ICU.
PLEASE BE ADVISED: HCA has transitioned to publicly reporting COVID-19 data to two days a week following the change in reporting by CDPH. Specifically data on COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, ICU numbers and bed availability, and deaths will be reported on our dashboards Tuesdays and Fridays. Other data (e.g. testing positivity, variants, vaccinations) will continue to be updated on a weekly basis.
Don't Hesitate. Let's Vaccinate.
No Ride? No Problem.
COVID-19 Messages from Health Care Agency
HCA: Why Is It so Important to Get Vaccinated?
Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer at the OC Health Care Agency (HCA), has a video message to help explain why it's important to get vaccinated. To view the video, click here or on the image below.
For informational town hall events and more educational videos related to COVID-19 vaccination, visit the OC COVID-19 homepage.
CRITTER CHRONICLES
Orange County Pet of the Week: Meet Summer!
Enjoy FREE Pet Adoptions During November!
I am excited to announce that my office will be sponsoring FREE pet adoptions and starter bag of pet food during the month of November to help our shelter pets at Orange County Animal Care find their loving, forever home.
In addition to the month-long pet adoption sponsorship, my office will be sponsoring the Drive-Thru Pet Food Pantry, which will be held at Orange County Animal Care on Saturday, November 12 from 8 AM to 10 AM. Come pick up some FREE food for your dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds, as well as FREE collapsible water bowls for your pet!
The newest addition to your family is waiting for you at the Orange County Animal Shelter! To view the 5th District Pet Adoption video, click here or on the image below.
All Pet Adoptions to be Sponsored in November!
Family Furst Drive-Thru Pet Food Pantry - 11/12
OC Animal Care is NOW OPEN for Appointments!
Orange County Pet Licensing Information
Lost and Found Community Pet Information
Large & Small Animal Evacuation Emergency Kit
Let's Paws: Food Safety
Let's Paws: Coyote Awareness
Fleas, Ticks, and Heartworm Prevention
OUT & ABOUT SAFELY IN THE FIFTH DISTRICT
FAM's 35th Annual Hunger Walk - October 16
Ladera Ranch Farmers Market is Every Sunday!
Laguna Canyon Foundation Gala - October 21
Extraordinary Lives Foundation Gala - October 19
A Night of Greek Culture in Laguna Niguel - 10/23
Pacific Marine Mammal Center Gala - October 23
247th Marine Corps Birthday Ball - November 12
45th Annual Turkey Trot in Dana Point Harbor
FOOD RESOURCES IN THE FIFTH DISTRICT
NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES
Check Out The Fifth District Dispatch Archives!
For those of you who may have missed any of my previous Fifth District Dispatch newsletters, featuring up-to-date COVID-19 facts and other information pertinent to South County, click here.
Thank you so much for your outstanding and continuing efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Orange County, as we're all in this together!
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